Symi belongs to the Dodecanese islands complex and lies 24 nautical miles NW of Rhodes and 255 nautical miles from the port of Piraeus. The highest point is Mountain Vigla at 616 metres. The island is very close to the coast of Asia Minor, just 5 miles from Alopos. It is not a very big island, only 67 square kilometres. The majority of the land is covered in rocks.

Two settlements form the town of Symi: Chorio (Village) and Gialos ( Harbour). Pedi, found in the bay of the same name and Nimporios in the bay of the same name, have a few inhabitants. There is also a big monastery complex, Panormitis, where around 30 people live and take care of the monastery.

In the interior of Symi there is road that leads from Gialos to Panormitis and you can go through it either by car, or by bike or by foot through a pined, cypressed, holm - oaked forest. This is a walk you can do alone or with the help of guides, who are appointed by tourist offices.There are a number of islets around Symi, such as Nimos, which is the largest one, as well as Sesklia, Artikonisi, Koulountro, Troubeto, Chondros, Plati, Oxia, Diabates, Marmaras. All these small islands can be visited with caiques, or small boats.

In Greek mythology, Symi is reputed to be the birthplace of the Charites and to take its name from the nymph Syme (in antiquity the island was known as Aigli and Metapontis), though Pliny the Elder and some later writers claimed that the name was derived from scimmia "a monkey".

In Homer's Iliad the island is mentioned as the domain of King Nireus, who fought in the Trojan War on the side of the Greeks. Thucydides writes that during the Peloponnesian War there was a Battle of Syme near the island in January, 411 BC, in which an unspecified number of Spartan ships defeated a squadron of Athenian vessels. Little was known about the island until the 14th century, but archaeological evidence indicates that it was continuously inhabited, and ruins of citadels suggest that it was an important location. It was first part of the Roman Empire and then the Byzantine Empire, until its conquest by the Knights of St. John in 1373.

OTTOMAN ERA

This conquest, fueled by the Knights' interest in shipping and commerce, launched what was to be a period of several centuries of prosperity for Symi, as its location amidst the Dodecanese made it an important waypoint for trade until the advent of steam-powered shipping in the 19th century. The island was conquered from the Knights by the Ottoman Empire in 1522 (along with nearby Rhodes) but it was allowed to retain many of its privileges, so its prosperity continued virtually uninterrupted. Under the Ottomans the island was called Sömbeki. Symi was noted for its sponges which provided much of its wealth. It attained the height of its prosperity in the mid 19th century, and many of the peculiarly colorful neoclassical mansions covering the slopes near the main city date from that period. Although Symiots took part in the Greek War of Independence of 1821–1829, it was left out of the new Greek state when its borders were drawn up and so remained under Ottoman rule.

MODERN ERA

The island, along with the rest of the Dodecanese, changed hands several times in the 20th century: in 1912 the Dodecanese declared independence from the Ottomans as the Federation of the Dodecanese Islands, though they were almost immediately occupied by Italy. The island was formally ceded to Italy in 1923, and on 12 October 1943 it was occupied by the Nazis. At the end of World War II, the surrender of German forces in the region took place on Symi to the British and the island was subject to three years of occupation by them as a result. Symi was finally rejoined with Greece in 1948.

The island has become a haven for tourists from abroad, especially British and Italians, and is now the permanent home of about 120 non-Greek residents, some 50 of whom are British. The influx of tourists has led to the restoration of a great number of homes (many of which were destroyed during World War II); these restorations, by law, have to conform to "guidelines laid down by the Greek culture ministry's Archaeological Service." Between 1998 and 2006, it is estimated that the price of a "ruin" on Symi increased fivefold. The growing population of British and other expatriates has led to demographic as well as political changes, since EU citizens are allowed to vote in local elections and have attempted to exert influence on the island's politics. Opinions on whether this is a sign of growing integration differ.

There has been considerable restoration of many houses in Symi in the past decade, by architects including Haris A. Kalligas and Anastasia Papaioannou, both winners of the Europa Nostra Awards for their work on Symi and elsewhere in Greece.

Costas Valsamis (1908–2003) - Greek Sculptor. He was born on the Greek island of Symi, Dodecanese and died in Athens. In 1932 he entered the Athens School of Fine Arts where he studied under Costas Dimitriadis. Completing his studies in 1937, he worked as a sculptor in Athens until 1945, then was granted a scholarship by the French government. He entered the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris in the atelier of Marcel Gimond then, at the Académie de la Grande Chaumiere, he was a student of Ossip Zadkine. In 1979, he was nominated as a Knight in the Orders of Arts and Letters by the Ministry of Culture and Communication of the French Government. In 1987, he became a member of the corresponding French Academy of Fine Arts.

Creations: Heroic Woman, plaster, Middelheimmuseum. The Purity, bronze, Parc Montsouris. The Mother in the occupation, bronze, the first cemetery of Athens. El Greco, bronze bust, Academias street, the square of the cultural center of Athens. The Little Fisherman, bronze, Symi. The Dove of Peace, Symi.

Symi Island, Dodecanese Beaches

Marathounta, Symi, Symi Island, Dodecanese
Marathounta is one of the most beautiful beaches of the island of Symi
with crystal clear turquoise waters and is among the few that are
accessible by car. In the area there is a large, newly built tavern that
offers food or...View More

Emporios, Symi, Symi Island, Dodecanese
Emporios or Nimporio is the second port of Symi. It is located on the
west side of the island and is a developing tourist resort. It has a
picturesque village and a lovely beach. Source: dimos-symis.grView More

Symi Island, Dodecanese
Sandy beach particularly popular because of the shallow and very clear
water and the offered facilities. On the beach you can find sun beds and
an excellent tavern.
Source: dimos-symis.grView More

Agios Nikolaos Beach

Maroni Beach

Symi Island, Dodecanese
Charming picturesque pebbled beach (northwest of Gialos) with a pine
forest reaching up the water. The land shrinks, creating a small island
on which stands a small chapel. Source: dimos-symis.grView More

Symi Island, Dodecanese
A narrow band of ground connects the small island of Agios Emilianos or Aimilianos
with the land in which it is a church. Picturesque beach without sand
but with deep green and clear water. Source: dimos-symis.grView More

Agios Emilianos Beach

Pedi Beach

Pedi, Symi, Symi Island, Dodecanese
One of the most popular beaches of Symi. Pedi has many small beaches and
its very convenient as a starting point for the other beaches going
either by boat taxi or foot. Source: dimos-symis.grView More

Pedi Beach

Agios Georgios Dysalonas Beach

Symi Island, Dodecanese
It is the longest and most spectacular beach on the island because of
the vertical rock on the site. It is accessible only by sea. Located on
the east side of the island, between Pedi and Marathounta. Source: dimos-symis.grView More

Agios Georgios Dysalonas Beach

Nos Beach

Symi Town, Symi, Symi Island, Dodecanese
One of the locations that contribute to the great fame of Symi is Nos
beach. A beautiful, popular, organized beach with umbrellas, sun beds
and a refreshment shop, not far from Charani. It is perfectly balanced
being peaceful,...View More

Nos Beach

Agios Vasilios Beach

Symi Island, Dodecanese
One of the most beautiful pebble beaches into a large and deep bay
framed by mountains with scattered junipers. The beach of Agios
Vasileios or Lapathos, is not accessible by boats – taxi (except on some
days in the high...View More

Symi Island, Dodecanese
The beach Nanou is considered the best pebble beach of Symi. The access
is only by boat. A vertical rock on the one side of the beach goes down
to the deep green waters. On the beach you can rent sun bed and get your
drinks...View More

Nanou Beach

Agia Marina Beach

Symi Island, Dodecanese
Agia Marina, is a rocky small island with crystal clear waters on the
north side of the entrance of the bay Pedi. It is accessible by foot or
by boat taxi .The water is crystal clear, perfect for diving and very
safe for children....View More

Panormitis, Symi, Symi Island, Dodecanese
Small sheltered bay for swimming in the Southern part of the island that
can be combined with a trip to the homonymous monastery of Panormitis.
The bay of Panormitis can be reached by tour boat or by road. Source: dimos-symis.grView More

Panormitis Beach

Faneromeni Bay

Panormitis, Symi, Symi Island, Dodecanese
Beautiful bay, which is reachable by foot from Panormitis.
View More

Symi Island, Dodecanese
Charming small beach on the southern side of the island. It is
accessible by car, bike or adventure lovers, with great hiking
opportunities. It has a new restaurant which offers excellent food. Sun
beds are available on the...View More

Symi Town, Symi, Symi Island, DodecaneseBella Napoli is the one of the finest Italian Restaurant in Aegean. It keeps with the original Italian cuisine. The secret of tastes is the authenticity of the products. Some products local, in order to keep the freshness and the Italian...View More

Marathounta, Symi, Symi Island, DodecaneseThe traditional tavern Marathounta has been on the homonymous beach of southern Simi for many years. In our tavern, you will enjoy delicious appetizers, fresh fish, perfect spaghetti lobster and lamb of our own production. Immediate...View More

Symi Town, Symi, Symi Island, DodecaneseThe Odyssia Restaurant is the ideal place for culinary delights. The serenity of the breathtaking landscape combined with the culinary pleasures, the friendly atmosphere, and our renowned hospitality will most certainly offer you an...View More

Odyssia Restaurant

Taverna to Spitiko

Symi Town, Symi, Symi Island, DodecaneseIt's a lovely family restaurant in front of the harbor with a tasteful food: fresh seafood and fishes, grilled meats. We are waiting for you all here! Come and try our kitchen!!! We have the most tasteful moussaka, seafood spaghetti,...View More

Clubs, Bars & Cafe in Symi Island, Dodecanese

Symi Town, Symi, Symi Island, DodecaneseThe Olive Tree is our dream and continues to grow. We are a venue for you to enjoy good food, good service and good company. Here at The Olive Tree we take great pride in producing home prepared and cooked fare, using as many...View More